In this age of global terrorism, constant vigilance is necessary to always remain one step of nefarious elements in society. Nations across the world have taken this extremely seriously and are doing all they can to improve their surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, cuts in defense budgets notwithstanding. Over the next decade or so, nations such as the U.S., China, Russia, and India are expected to modernize or entirely replace their airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment. This is primarily because of their intrinsic defense requirements coupled with the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market being flooded with customization options, technological upgrades, and alternative purchase models. The airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market is poised to be worth slightly under US$ 30 billion in end 2022.

Unmanned ISR had a revenue share greater than two-thirds in the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market by aircraft type segment in 2017 and are on track to gain market share going forward. Unmanned ISR’s are preferred over their manned counterparts because they are far safer and have minimal risk to human life. The unmanned ISR segment in the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market is assessed to have a value of almost US$ 20 billion at the end of the forecast period. Manned ISR account for the balance revenue share in the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market and are predicted to lose share at the expense of unmanned ISR’s. North America has a large contribution in the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market and companies are advised to focus on the US as it has a huge defense budget and should continue to remain the preeminent military spender.

Battery-Operated Equipment to Race Ahead of Others

The battery operated segment had a revenue share greater than a third in the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market but is projected to lose market share during the course of the forecast period. An absolute dollar opportunity of approx. US$ 2.3 billion is waiting to be tapped in the battery-operated segment of the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market. The hydrogen fuel cell segment accounted for a revenue share of a little over one fifth in the airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance equipment market by fuel type segment. Additional R&D and investment in hydrogen technology are anticipated to make this fuel source increasingly important in the days ahead.